When it comes to kitchen staples, butter ranks high on most shopping lists. But even this creamy, delicious spread isn’t immune to food safety concerns.
Over the years, numerous butter products have been yanked from store shelves due to contamination issues ranging from bacterial outbreaks to foreign objects. Let’s spread the knowledge about these slippery situations that left consumers feeling anything but smooth!
1. Land O’Lakes Listeria Scare (2017)
Dairy giant Land O’Lakes faced a massive recall affecting 20 states when routine testing detected listeria in several butter batches. The contamination was traced to a single production line in their Wisconsin facility.
Nearly 1 million pounds of butter were destroyed, costing the company an estimated $10 million in losses. Thankfully, no illnesses were reported.
2. Dairygold Butter – Plastic Shard Scare (Japan, 202X)
Dairygold’s export operations hit a crisis when millions of pounds of butter in Japan were recalled after plastic fragments were found embedded in the product. A faulty machine rotor at the Irish plant was to blame, shedding plastic during high-speed mixing.
The issue forced a recall of over 23 million pounds of butter, one of the largest by weight in modern food history. Japanese authorities temporarily halted imports, and Dairygold had to re-inspect its entire production system.
3. Fonterra Mainland/Anchor – Metal Contamination (New Zealand, 2012)
New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra issued a recall for 410,000 butter packs when customers discovered small metal particles in Mainland and Anchor branded butter. The contamination was traced to broken machinery components during processing.
Although no injuries were reported, the scale and international distribution of the butter made it a global concern. Fonterra responded with a comprehensive review of its equipment maintenance and export protocols.
4. Costco Kirkland – Allergen Labeling Error (USA, 2024)
In 2024, Costco recalled nearly 80,000 pounds of its Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter due to a mislabeling issue. The butter failed to declare milk — a serious allergen — on the packaging, despite milk being the product’s main ingredient.
While no allergic reactions were reported, the incident triggered a widespread Class II recall. Costco emphasized its commitment to allergen transparency and updated its quality control processes.
5. Cabot Creamery – Coliform Contamination (USA, 2025)
Cabot Creamery issued a voluntary recall of 1,701 pounds of its Extra Creamy Premium Butter in 2025 after internal testing found elevated levels of coliform bacteria. While not directly dangerous, the presence of coliform signals possible sanitation or pasteurization failures.
The recall affected seven states and was categorized as low risk. Still, the Vermont-based creamery took immediate action to reassure loyal consumers by tightening its quality monitoring.
6. Wegmans Lemon Dill Butter – Listeria Risk (USA, 2022)
In 2022, Wegmans pulled over 1,100 cases of its Lemon Dill Finishing Butter after Listeria monocytogenes was detected in the dried dill used in the recipe. Although no illnesses were reported, the potential for severe illness in vulnerable individuals prompted swift action.
The recall extended to 10 states and was classified as Class I. Wegmans reinforced supplier testing and replaced its spice vendor as a preventive measure.
7. Homestead Creamery – Listeria Contamination (USA, 2020)
Homestead Creamery, a small Virginia-based dairy, recalled several lots of its Unsalted Butter in 2020 due to potential Listeria contamination. The issue arose during routine FDA testing, prompting an immediate voluntary recall.
No customers reported illness, but the creamery faced scrutiny over its small-scale pasteurization setup. In response, they upgraded their monitoring systems and added third-party microbial testing.
8. Zander’s Creamery – Listeria Closure (USA, 2004)
Zander’s Creamery suffered a fatal blow in 2004 when its butter and butterine products were linked to a Listeria outbreak. The recall devastated the Wisconsin-based company, leading to its eventual shutdown.
While relatively small in volume, the case became a cautionary tale of how fast Listeria can ruin a dairy operation. It remains one of the rare butter recalls that led to a full business closure.
9. Challenge Butter – Salmonella Surprise (USA, 2001)
In the early 2000s, Challenge Butter recalled around 40,000 pounds of product after a Salmonella outbreak linked to butter sickened consumers across multiple states. The outbreak was traced to raw milk contamination that slipped past initial pasteurization checks.
The incident stirred debates over the use of high-heat versus low-heat pasteurization. Challenge Butter responded by overhauling its safety systems and initiating mandatory third-party inspections.
10. Keller’s Creamery – E. coli in Sculpted Butter (USA, 1997)
During the holiday season of 1997, Keller’s Creamery recalled its popular decorative butter sculptures after E. coli O157:H7 was found in several batches. Sold widely for Thanksgiving and Christmas, these butter figures became the center of a public health scare.
Multiple consumers fell ill, and the story gained national media attention. The incident pushed regulatory bodies to expand oversight on specialty seasonal dairy products.
11. Blue Bell Creameries – Listeria Crisis (USA, 2015)
While known for its ice cream, Blue Bell’s product line also included butter, which was affected when the company issued a sweeping recall due to a deadly Listeria outbreak. Over eight million gallons of product were destroyed, and several deaths were reported across multiple states.
The company shut down operations for months and underwent a complete corporate restructuring. This remains one of the largest and most devastating food recalls in U.S. dairy history.
12. Oskri Organics – Nut Butter Recall (USA, 2019)
Oskri Organics recalled several nut and seed butters after routine testing revealed the presence of Listeria. Though technically a plant-based product, these seed butters are used as butter alternatives, and the recall had wide implications for organic and vegan consumers.
No illnesses were reported, but the brand temporarily lost its USDA organic certification. Oskri reformulated their production and sanitation procedures afterward.
13. Inspired Organics – Listeria in Sunflower Butter (USA, 2018)
In 2018, Inspired Organics recalled its sunflower and almond butters after state lab testing confirmed Listeria contamination. These products were distributed in health food stores across multiple states.
Although nobody was sickened, the recall made headlines for raising questions about sanitation in the organic butter alternative sector. The company paused production for a full audit and factory deep-clean.
14. Sunland Inc. – Salmonella in Nut Butter (USA, 2012)
Sunland Inc., a major peanut and almond butter producer, issued a massive recall affecting over 300 products after Salmonella sickened at least 29 people. Though not a dairy butter, this nut butter recall had sweeping effects, pulling spreads from Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and more.
It led to Sunland’s bankruptcy and one of the most expensive food recalls in U.S. history. The FDA overhaul that followed reshaped nut butter oversight permanently.
15. Peanut Corp. Of America – The Mother Of All Recalls (USA, 2009)
Often cited as the most disastrous food recall in modern history, Peanut Corp. of America’s nut butter products caused a Salmonella outbreak that killed nine and sickened over 700. Nearly 4,000 products across dozens of brands were recalled, affecting everything from cookies to snack bars.
While again not a dairy product, its “butter” designation and scope make it essential to this list. The CEO was sentenced to 28 years in prison, setting a legal precedent for food safety accountability.